Deccan Riots (1875) - Peasant Movement - Modern India History Notes
In 1867, the government raised the land revenue by 50% which led to the worsening of peasant’s conditions, hence Deccan Riots started in 1875. Peasants in Maharashtra began a revolt against increasing agrarian distress in 1875. They began the revolt in response to the high interest rates charged by moneylenders on their land and agricultural crops. They boycotted the moneylenders socially. Later, this movement spread to other parts of the country. In this article, we will discuss the Deccan Riots which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.
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Deccan Riots - Background
- The British introduced the Ryotwari settlement as a land revenue system in the Bombay Deccan region.
- The revenue from land was fixed on a yearly basis under this system.
- In the Ryotwari system, the agreement was made directly between the government and the ryot (cultivator).
- The revenue was determined by the soil type and the farmer's ability to pay. However, the revenues were so high that farmers had a difficult time paying their dues. Any interruption in the rains would exacerbate the situation.
- Farmers typically borrowed money from moneylenders to pay their revenues. After taking out the loans, the farmers discovered that the interest rates were prohibitively high, making repayment impossible.
- Peasant indebtedness became a major issue in rural areas.
- Civil war erupted in the United States in 1861. The United States was Britain's largest cotton supplier. When the civil war broke out, the demand for cotton from India skyrocketed, resulting in a surge in cotton cultivation in India and a period of 'boom' at the time.
- However, once the war in America ended, cotton demand plummeted, causing farmers to suffer.
- Moneylenders, who had been generous with their loans during the civil war, refused to lend to farmers once more.
- This enraged the farmers because they were completely reliant on moneylenders, who were unconcerned about their plight.
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| Indigo Revolt (1859-60) | Eka Movement(1921) |
| Kisan Sabha Movement(1857) | Mappila Revolt(1921) |
Deccan Riots - Causes
- In 1875, the peasants of Maharashtra mainly from the Poona, Satara and Ahmednagar districts, revolted against the corrupt practices of Gujarati and Marwari moneylenders.
- The moneylenders used to charge high rates of interest along with manipulating the accounts of poor peasants.
- In response, the ryots organized the social boycott movement against the moneylenders.
- They refused to buy goods from their shops, work in their homes and fields.
- Soon this social boycott transformed into agrarian unrest.
- The ryots systematically attacked the moneylender’s house and shops.
- The debt bonds, decree, and other documents in possession of moneylenders were seized and burnt publicly.
Deccan Riots - Outcome
- In 1877, the government constituted the Deccan Riot inquiry commission.
- The commission reported that poverty and indebtedness were the main cause of the revolt.
- In 1897, the government passed the Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act of 1879 to pacify the movement and protect farmers against moneylenders.
- In 1879, Indian nationalist Vasudeo Balwant Phadke launched a violent campaign against colonial rule, aiming to drive them out and establish an Indian republic.
Conclusion
The distress of the cultivators was caused by falling agricultural prices, heavy taxation, and a sense of political powerlessness. Small peasants were burdened by the commercialization of agriculture under colonial land revenue policies, which put a premium on access to credit to finance productive investments in the land. Local moneylenders obtained unlimited title to their debtors' property and labour by using capital advanced by European merchants; this gave them the "power to utterly ruin and enslave the debtor."
FAQs
Question: What were the primary causes of the Deccan Riots of 1867?
Answer: The primary causes of the Deccan Riots were the exploitative moneylending practices that left peasants deeply indebted, high land revenue assessments by the British, and poor agricultural conditions. The forced recovery of debts through harsh means further aggravated the peasants, leading to widespread unrest.
Question: How did the Deccan Riots affect the agrarian structure in India?
Answer: The Deccan Riots exposed the vulnerabilities of the agrarian structure in British India, where poor peasants were exploited by moneylenders. The riots led to the introduction of the Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act, 1879, which sought to regulate moneylending practices and provide some relief to indebted peasants.
Question: Who were the main participants in the Deccan Riots?
Answer: The main participants in the Deccan Riots were the ryots (peasant farmers) of the Deccan region, particularly in present-day Maharashtra. These peasants, burdened by debt and exploitation, rebelled against the moneylenders, many of whom were Gujarati or Marwari traders.
Question: What role did the British government play in the Deccan Riots?
Answer: Initially, the British government was indifferent to the plight of the peasants, but as the riots escalated, they intervened to suppress the violence. The government later passed the Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act to regulate moneylending practices and offer protection to indebted peasants.
Question: How did the Deccan Riots impact subsequent peasant movements in India?
Answer: The Deccan Riots of 1867 set the stage for future peasant movements in India by highlighting the exploitative nature of colonial agrarian policies. The grievances of peasants would later fuel other revolts and uprisings, such as the Indigo Rebellion and the Bardoli Satyagraha.
MCQs
1. What was the main reason for the outbreak of the Deccan Riots in 1867?
A) High taxes imposed by the British
B) Exploitative moneylending practices
C) Disputes over land ownership
D) Lack of irrigation facilities
Answer: B See the Explanation
Explanation: The Deccan Riots were primarily caused by the exploitative practices of moneylenders who charged exorbitant interest rates, leading to a cycle of debt for the peasants. This exploitation, coupled with poor agricultural yields, sparked the uprising.
2. Which law was introduced as a result of the Deccan Riots?
A) Permanent Settlement Act
B) Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act
C) Bengal Tenancy Act
D) Indian Forest Act
Answer: B See the Explanation
Explanation: The Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act of 1879 was introduced in response to the Deccan Riots, with the aim of regulating moneylending practices and offering protection to indebted peasants.
3. In which region of India did the Deccan Riots occur?
A) Punjab
B) Bengal
C) Deccan region
D) Rajasthan
Answer: C See the Explanation
Explanation: The Deccan Riots occurred in the Deccan region, primarily in present-day Maharashtra. The peasants in this region revolted against the oppressive practices of moneylenders.
4. Who were the primary targets of the peasants' anger during the Deccan Riots?
A) British officials
B) Zamindars
C) Moneylenders
D) Local landlords
Answer: C See the Explanation
Explanation: The moneylenders, many of whom were Gujarati and Marwari traders, were the primary targets of the peasants' anger during the Deccan Riots. These moneylenders charged high-interest rates and used harsh methods to recover debts, leading to widespread resentment among the peasants.
5. What was the significance of the Deccan Riots for the Indian peasant movements?
A) It marked the beginning of peasant awareness and resistance
B) It was a minor rebellion with little impact
C) It was the first revolt against the British government
D) It had no long-term consequences
Answer: A See the Explanation
Explanation: The Deccan Riots were significant as they marked the beginning of peasant awareness and resistance against exploitative practices in colonial India. This set the stage for future peasant uprisings, emphasizing the need for reforms in the agrarian sector.
GS Mains Questions and Answers
Q1: Analyze the causes and consequences of the Deccan Riots of 1867, focusing on the role of moneylenders and British policies.
Answer: The Deccan Riots of 1867 were triggered by the exploitative practices of moneylenders, who charged exorbitant interest rates, trapping peasants in a cycle of debt. Poor agricultural yields and high revenue assessments by the British exacerbated the situation, leading to widespread unrest. The consequences of the riots included the passing of the Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act, which aimed to regulate moneylending practices and provide relief to indebted peasants. The riots also highlighted the need for reforms in the agrarian system and set a precedent for future peasant movements in India.
Q2: Evaluate the impact of the Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act of 1879 on the Indian peasantry.
Answer: The Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act of 1879 was a significant piece of legislation that aimed to protect indebted peasants from the exploitative practices of moneylenders. By regulating interest rates and providing legal safeguards, the Act offered some relief to peasants burdened by debt. However, its implementation was often inconsistent, and moneylenders found ways to circumvent the regulations. Despite its limitations, the Act marked an important step toward addressing the grievances of the peasantry and laid the groundwork for future agrarian reforms.
Q3: Discuss the role of the British government in addressing the grievances of the peasants during the Deccan Riots. Was their response adequate?
Answer: The British government's response to the Deccan Riots was initially slow and inadequate. The government was more focused on maintaining law and order than addressing the underlying causes of the unrest. However, following the riots, the Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act was introduced in 1879 to regulate moneylending practices and offer protection to indebted peasants. While the Act provided some relief, it did not address the root causes of the agrarian crisis, such as high revenue demands and exploitative colonial policies. Overall, the British response was a temporary solution that failed to address the long-term issues facing the Indian peasantry.
Previous Year Questions on Deccan Riots
1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2017:
Question: The Deccan Riots of 1867 were primarily caused by:
A) High taxation
B) Exploitative practices of moneylenders
C) British land reforms
D) Famine conditions
Answer: B
Explanation: The Deccan Riots were largely fueled by the exploitative practices of moneylenders, who charged exorbitant interest rates and used harsh recovery methods, leading to widespread resentment among peasants.
2. UPSC CSE Mains 201 9 (GS Paper 1):
Question: "The Deccan Riots of 1867 highlighted the exploitative nature of the colonial agrarian system." Discuss.
Answer: The Deccan Riots of 1867 were a response to the oppressive agrarian system under British rule. Peasants were burdened by high land revenue demands and exploitative moneylending practices. The riots exposed the vulnerabilities of the colonial agrarian structure, where peasants were often forced into debt and faced harsh treatment by moneylenders. The government's eventual response, the Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act, provided some relief but did not address the systemic issues that caused the unrest, such as exploitative colonial policies and unequal land distribution.
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